Later, Serena tossed and turned in bed, wide awake. She stared at the text Donald had sent her and squinted at the screen.
What is he even thinking? Why hasn’t he called off the engagement yet? Is he really planning to wait until the wedding day turns into a total disaster?
…
The next morning, Serena called in sick and headed straight to Steele Tech.
This time, going up felt smooth, almost too easy.
When Donald saw her, he didn’t flare up as he had before. “Saw the message I sent you yesterday, right? Perfect timing. You can try on wedding dresses with Trevor today. After that, swing by and pick up the marriage certificate.”
Serena stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Dad, I think I’ve said this a hundred times. We broke up. We’re not getting married.”
Donald paused, took a careful sip of his Chamomile, and didn’t get angry. “I remember. And I already told you my answer. I don’t agree. Rena, if you just go through with the wedding with Trevor, I’ll give you an extra five percent of the shares. Add that to the five your grandma already gave you, and that’s ten percent. Are you happy now?”
Serena couldn’t care less about Steele Tech’s shares. Even if they offered her the whole company, she still wouldn’t marry Trevor.
“Dad, there are only four days left. You’d better think this through. You can still call it off now. Otherwise, it won’t just be me making a fool of myself that day-it’ll be you too.” With that, she walked off without looking back.
Donald’s eyes went ice-cold. He gave up trying to reason with stubborn Serena.
…
“Donald, what’s going on?” Yvonne asked, answering her phone at the salon.
“The wedding’s the day after tomorrow. You find a way to get Serena back. I don’t care how you do it. I need to see her at that wedding!”
Yvonne paused for a moment, then smiled. “Alright, got it.”
Looks like Serena’s off giving Donald a headache again. Since she won’t budge with gentle words, it’s time to get tough.
…
Lucinda woke up past noon. “Rena, did we see my Uncle Sebastian at the bar yesterday?” She sounded fuzzy, like she’d forgotten chunks of the night.
Serena was at a loss for words. “Lucy, you don’t remember?”
Lucinda rubbed her forehead. “Not really. I just remember you ordered that college guy, I got the muscle guy, and then somehow Julian, that jerk, showed up.”
Julian had been Lucinda’s childhood crush. They almost got engaged once, but she threw a massive scene at the engagement party, and it never happened.
Serena still couldn’t figure out their exact deal, but every time they met, they fought. “He didn’t do anything to you, right?”
Lucinda’s voice shot up. “As if he would! What about you? How did you even get home?”
Serena remembered her car was still parked behind the bar.
“Ah, I just grabbed a cab home.”
“That’s good. Too bad, though. Next time, I’ll take you somewhere new. I heard there are plenty of college guys there.”
Serena forced a laugh. “No thanks. I’m not really into college guys.”
“Not into them? Come on, your eyes were practically glued to that pretty boy yesterday. Alright, I get it. We’re besties, I know you.”
“Lucy.” A low, familiar male voice came through the receiver. “Who are you talking to?”
Serena’s heart skipped. “Don’t say it. Don’t say it.”
But Lucinda didn’t hear her at all. “Oh, Uncle Sebastian. I’m on the phone with Rena.”
Serena froze, completely speechless.
Oh no.
“Oh,” Sebastian replied simply.
Serena didn’t even want to hear another word. She slammed the phone down. Just as she was stewing in frustration, Shawn came looking for her.
“Serena, Lily, and I are tied up with clients, but Levine Studios wants us to swing by. Can you go for us?”
Serena blinked slowly. “Sure. I’ll go.”
The contract with Levine Studios is due today, the 27th. On the last day, Trevor couldn’t resist messing with me. Classic ex move.
…
This time, Dakota was straightforward, walking Serena right into the office.
She saw Trevor again and sat down calmly. “Mr. Trevor. Didn’t think your company would be so… thrifty. Not even sparing the last day of the contract, huh?”
Trevor seemed oblivious to her sarcasm and slid a contract across the table. “Help me review this service agreement. Be thorough. Right here, take care of it.”
Serena flipped it open and skimmed through it, her chest tightening a bit.
It was the contract Levine Studios had signed with the production company for Amber.
Trevor wasn’t holding back. He had hired the top-tier team straight away. Serena glanced at the eight-figure contract and couldn’t help the twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Trevor studied her expression, hoping to catch a flicker of disappointment. But to his frustration, she showed none. She went through everything line by line, carefully reviewing each item.
Trevor admitted that he had called Serena in on purpose today. He didn’t believe she was truly over him.
But in that moment, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. “You’re not mad?” he asked quietly, eyes narrowing.
Serena didn’t even look up from the contract. A small, amused smile played on her lips. “Work makes me happy. Why would I be mad? Mr. Trevor, the contract’s been reviewed. Everything looks fine, except for the section on breach penalties, which still requires some tweaks. I’ve already standardized the changes. Take a look.”
Trevor stared at her face without blinking, then took the contract. “Good. You’re still as professional as ever. Are you really not planning to renew with us? I could double the service fee.”
Serena glanced at the big-spending goof in front of her and smiled lightly. “Beaumont Legal would be happy to continue working with Levine Studios. It’s just that, for personal reasons, I can’t serve as your lead attorney anymore. Our team still has plenty of excellent lawyers. If you’re open to it, I can have Mr. Yonge come by tomorrow to discuss the renewal with your assistant.”
Trevor’s eyes grew colder. “No need. If you don’t have the time, then there’s no point in renewing.”
Serena had just stood up when Amber pushed the office door open.
“Trevor, I came by today to…” Amber stopped mid-sentence when she saw Serena in the office.
Her expression stiffened for a moment, then she forced a smile. “Serena, you’re here too? I was just passing by and thought I’d grab lunch with Trevor. Serena, do you want to join?”
Amber’s words were clearly asking Serena, but her eyes had pleaded silently for her not to come along.
Serena considered scaring her a little but decided it wasn’t worth it. Right now, she just wanted to put as much distance as possible between herself and this annoying pair. “No thanks. I won’t get in the way of your lunch with Mr. Trevor. I’ve got something else to do, so I’ll be going.”
A strange irritation stirred in Trevor’s chest. “Wait, I’ll walk you out. I’m heading downstairs anyway.” Then he looked at Amber with unexpected softness. “Come on. Didn’t you say we were going to eat?”
He just won’t leave me alone.
Serena muttered a curse under her breath.
So he’s just gotta ride the elevator with me.
Serena stepped into the elevator first and pressed the button for level minus two, the basement.
Trevor and Amber stood side by side, shoulder to shoulder.
When the numbers hit twelve, the elevator gave a hard jolt, rattling twice, and then the lights went out completely.
Serena felt herself suddenly plunged into darkness, her whole body frozen against the elevator wall.
“Trevor, what’s happening? I’m really scared.” Amber’s trembling voice cut through the dark, pulling at his chest.
Trevor pulled her tightly into his arms. “It’s okay. Don’t worry, someone will be here to get us out soon.” He glanced at the elevator’s call button. It seemed dead. Even his phone barely had a single bar of signal.
“Serena, do you have any signal on your phone?” he asked abruptly.
Serena stared blankly, her tank top soaked through with sweat. “No… no signal.”
Trevor caught the unease in her tone. “Serena, you’re okay, right?”
Before she could answer, the elevator jolted again with two heavy thuds.
“Ah-” Amber’s scream in Trevor’s arms grabbed all his attention.
“I’m so scared, Trevor. We’re not going to be stuck in here forever, right?”
Trevor could feel Amber trembling against him, and he couldn’t think about Serena for the moment. He frowned and dialed emergency services. “Hello, we’re at Levine Studios, No. 88 Riverbranch Middle Road. We’re stuck in the elevator. How long until someone can get here?”
After hanging up, he spoke softly, trying to soothe her. “It’s okay, don’t worry. They said the fire department should be here in ten minutes at most. Don’t be scared. It’s alright, I’ve got you.”
Nobody noticed Serena standing there, her face ghostly pale.
She couldn’t let herself collapse. Not in front of them. She curled up on the floor, struggling to catch her breath. The elevator was pitch black. She couldn’t see her own hand in front of her. It felt like something was pressing in from every direction, trapping her in a corner. The air was so thick she could barely breathe.
She couldn’t hear the couple in front of her anymore. Their voices were close but somehow felt miles away. Helplessness and sadness wrapped around her like a heavy blanket. She didn’t even dare to cry out loud.
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